Sammy Davis, Jr.: Sammy's Swinginest Sides

It's hard to imagine a song Sammy couldn't swing, but this set boasts a particularly fine crop of 1954–58 Decca singles, many of them chart hits. "Something's Gotta Give," "Hey, There," "Love Me or Leave Me," "Glad to Be Unhappy," "A Fine Romance," and "That Old Black Magic" are augmented by a duet with Carmen McRae on "A Fine Romance"; a couple of R&B tunes ("Get Out of the Car [Uh, Oh!]" and "Hallelujah, I Love Her So"); and a cheeky cover of "Because of You," parts 1 & 2, in which he imitates Nat Cole, Tony Bennett, Frankie Laine, James Cagney, James Stewart, Cary Grant, Lionel Barrymore, Jerry Lewis, and Edward G. Robinson. What can we say? The man had energy with a capital E.

"A supremely talented young singer at the peak of his powers. What Davis lacks in introspection, he makes up for in energy, timing, and an unerring sense of pitch; he's pretty musical for all the pizzazz."—All Music Guide